My economic life has become a sinking ship....

[citizen blues]

I'm a college level instructor - yes, an adjunct.

I have a Masters Degree and have had four teaching jobs in the last year. I also took a temporary job working weekends processing applications for the ACA just to make ends meet.

My choices are: a private (for profit) school where I will work way too many hours for crap pay or a public community college or university where I will work way too few hours for decent pay.

Neither is enough for me to pay my bills and I'm running out of things to sell.

Now, I have a job that was supposed to be a good one: eligible for benefits, relatively stable, etc. So I put my house on the market to relocate to be closer to that job. Then last month and this month, my new job cut my regular hours in half and had me substituting instead, but it was not enough hours to make up the hours I had lost.

So here I am sinking financially. I'm late on the mortgage and negotiating a forbearance with my bank. The student loans I have coming due will need to be put in forbearance as well. My credit cards are late, and my daughters are sending me money. Since this new job is far from my home, friends are letting me stay with them so I can afford the gas to go to work.

I feel so ashamed! I thought being educated, having a good education would mean something. It doesn't. I feel so betrayed - so lied to. I was just another sucker for the university to reel in and convince to hock my future to line their pockets.

I'm tired of the stress. I'm tired of wondering what my future will bring. I'm tired of watching my dreams turn to ash. I had hope - at one time, I had hope. It's running mighty thin these days. I'm just not sure what else to do. I'm reaching the point of exhaustion and just don't know where to turn anymore. The worst part, the absolute worst part of it is the guilt for not being able to give my students my best because I'm having to put so much energy into figuring out how I'm going to make it through another month.

Sorry for the rant. Just needed to vent.

[handmade34]

1. ...

[NBachers]

17. Alert

[Justice]

2. I am sorry to hear this.

It is an all too familiar story - Educated, job insecurity, economic uncertainty. I hope for better day for you and am glad you have friends and a family.

[Katashi_itto]

3. K&R

[mike_c]

4. wish I could offer more than moral support....

I've just been at a statewide meeting of my union, the California Faculty Assn, which represents the faculty, librarians, counselors, and coaches of the California State University. Our adjuncts are called lecturers, and we have worked hard to improve their working conditions and pay-- CFA represents them along with our tenure track faculty-- and I can honestly say that CSU lecturers probably have the best contract protections and terms and conditions of employment of any adjunct faculty in the nation.

That said, we need to do much, much more. Mainly, we want to provide a path to secure employment for our long time lecturers, and we want to decrease the proportion of the faculty work force that is contingent. It is shameful that our universities exploit adjunct faculty so badly.

Students don't know the difference between lecturers and tenured full profs, generally, so they are usually shocked to learn what the lecturers teaching them make and that their employment is so insecure. Even in the CSU, lecturers with less than a 0.4 time base (typically that means less than two full classes per semester) don't receive any benefits at all, and are often classified in the lowest wage pay scales. Again, it is absolutely shameful, and adjunct faculty in most states don't have half the protections that CSU lecturers have. I would never recommend an academic career for my kids if it means being adjunct.

[barbtries]

5. consider biotech.

especially if you're in the triangle area of NC, NJ, or Philadelphia. there are probably other areas of which i am not aware. i don't know how old you are, but i am 58 and am attending college again for a professional certificate in clinical trial research. i'm really fortunate because i have the job already and my boss made it possible for me to pursue a new career, but many of the students in my program are in situations more like yours than mine. you can make a good living.
just a suggestion. under any circumstances please don't give up hope. if i had more time i would tell you about the year i spent in the desert having lost home, job, and all but 1 of my young children, but i can tell you that what pulled me through was education. it was computers then, now it's biotech.
i am sorry you're going through this.don't give up. DO NOT GIVE UP.

[Demeter]

6. You aren't unique, but I think you know that

Far too many Americans are in that same leaky, sinking boat.

I don't know what the solution is, generally or specifically. I don't know if the Democratic Party will get its head out of its ass. I don't know if the Tea Party will morph into something useful for positive change.

But I do know that there is a grass roots growing to address these issues. Especially debt.

If you can sell your house, do so. You aren't in a position to carry that burden. At the very least, rent it so that it's revenue neutral.

Look at tutoring. It's the best way to teach and can generate income without too much overhead. It's great for cash under the table. Yes, I'm advocating cheating to survive. After all, the Rich are cheating to steal. The government is cheating to enslave us. Fight fire with fire. But protect yourself!

Our institutions are failing us. We can't sign on to a corporate cruise through life. We have to be clever, canny, desperate, and ruthless.

The education business is so deranged, so unstable, that chances are it will not be viable for a long time. "Serious" People are actively working to bring it down like a condemned building. And that's true of most careers that existed prior to Ronald Reagan, the Great Destroyer. That's why we have no middle class.

My dreams collapsed in 1989. My life is completely changed. I'm still mad as hell, I'm still marginal, but I have survived, and all that sacrifice might be starting to pay off in stability, finally. As for my dreams...some of them, I'm too old for. Others I still hold onto, in hope. but survival is the first thing.

[lululu]

7. nothing to be ashamed about

There is nothing to be ashamed about here. Did you do anything wrong? No.

My cousin cobbled together income by teaching as an adjunct at several places at once. Is that an option for you?

[TBF]

8. People are telling you things they did -

because so very many are going through this. It is deplorable and your anger is definitely justified.

No one is promised anything in this world, but when we have a small select group of people hoarding all the resources in order to subjugate all the other people there is a big problem.

My challenge to the 1% is this: peacefully raise the taxes and lift the boats or deal with the resulting consequences (people who have nothing left to lose are much less likely to put up with the system oppressing them).

[Penrose]

9. In the same leaky boat

I am sorry to read of your plight and all I can say is, I am in the same leaky boat at as you. I have worked as an adjunct for ten years and since losing my last pseudo middle class job in 2008, I've had to work retail to make ends meet.

I am now continually applying for any and every possible "real" job -- with ever diminishing chances of getting one, the more my current work history reflects adjuncting and retail -- but I also want to keep adjuncting and maintain my ability to get Public Service Loan Forgiveness on my student loans.

That might be one area of light for you -- apply for the PSLF. https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service

[myrna minx]

15. Welcome to DU, Penrose.

I'm so glad you found us.

All of my best to you and citizen blues.

[niyad]

29. welcome to du

[femmocrat]

10. So sorry, citizen blues.

Are you certified to teach in a public school? Subbing pays pretty well these days, about $100/day. There is always a shortage of subs because fewer young people are going into teaching. Another thing, once you are on the sub list, you could teach or tutor homebound students for a more permanent gig. I know that doesn't help you right now though.

Best wishes to you.

[democrank]

11. So sorry you`re going through this.

Stay strong.

[Starry Messenger]

12. Adjunct here too.

I feel you, friend. ((hugs))

[SmittynMo]

13. The economy is still in the sh*tter.

I'm sure there are thousands of people with a similar story. My brother went through it 10 years ago when all the shit hit the fan under Bush. He is just now in a decent paying job where he can support himself again. So there is hope. However, I am on a downward spiral right now. I've been unemployed for a year now, coming up on 60. If it weren't for my wife working, we'd be screwed. The jobs just aren't there. Why you say? Corporate America is finding ways to get by, with shittier service to it's customers, by cutting employees and hours. Companies are slowly removing full time jobs with benefits, and going to contractors, with little, or no benefits. If you have ever been in contracting, let me tell you, it's no pic-a-nic. In most cases, you need to know everything about everything when you walk in the door. If not, you're gone in 30 days, no questions asked. NEXT!!!! At this age, I have pretty much given up on any decent paying job and now just looking for anything. This in itself has been a real challenge. All these years of experience, for 30K a year? No one even wants to give you the time of day, because they think you'll split once another opportunity comes along. My last interview was a perfect example. Everything went fine, until it came down to the final 2(me and a 20 year old). The company decided to hire the 20 year old at far less pay, with no experience in the field. I don't get it!!!

Do I still have hope? Yes. But there are times when I wake up in the morning thinking. OMG, I'm such a failure. When in reality this has nothing to do with my skill set, nor attitude, nor willingness to work. It's corporate America, greed, and age.

Just keep on looking and hope you will find a job that will support you. Like many others, you (and I) may have to relocate to find this.

And don't worry about your rant. Sometimes it's all we can do to keep our sanity.

[magical thyme]

14. you are not alone. you have no reason to be ashamed. this is happening across the board.

Not just in education. A lot of us are teetering on the edge.

Right now you just need to focus on survival, one day at a time. Once you sell your home, you can restructure. Your dreams will still be there when the time comes, or will be born anew with a different twist.

[HelenWheels]

18. How times have changed

From the 1940's through the 1950's I had two aunties who were teachers. One taught in a high school and the other was an administrator for county schools. They made very good money and were able to buy new cars every few years, dressed beautifully and traveled the world. Have a friend who was a grade school principal in Arizona from 1960 to 1990 and she also was able to lead a very good life.
I guess it shows how the US has gone from valuing education to one that demeans education. How sick is that?

[neeksgeek]

19. You're not alone!

I could almost have written your post, except that I don't have a mortgage on a house (and likely never will) and I can catch a bus to work. You have a right to be angry, but please don't feel ashamed! Many people are struggling through similar circumstances. My credit is thoroughly shot, after three years of random retail gigs before *finally* landing my adjunct position two years ago. I'm still looking for a part time job of some kind to make ends meet. When the student loan people remind me that my credit will be damaged by my late payments, I just have to laugh and say "No kidding, really!?"

That's the only thing that keeps me going, my snarky sense of humor.

Well, that and a bottle of lithium carbonate each month.

(Which I can only afford because my wife has a full time job, with benefits. It's depressing that two educated professionals are earning barely enough to keep us going paycheck to paycheck. One major crisis and we're out of money just like that.)

This has got to change.

[packman]

20. Not to go all Zen on you, but

the past is the past. Live in the present and the future will be there anyway, no matter what you do.

Practically speaking, declare bankruptcy if that's an option. This will relieve those credit card debts. If you can't do that and the credit cards are unsecured, don't pay them. Period. No payments. Expect hounding calls, letters, harassment from them, but if they are a real burden just walk away.

Rent your house out. If the market is slow for buyers, rentals will help. However be careful of whom you are renting out to so they do not damage your house.

Look at your credentials. Teaching is noble and you are to be commended for your concerns about your students. However, are you in a field that has some weight in any related areas? Think a bit beyond the box you seem to have built around yourself.

Don't let circumstances make a slave out of you and cause you to despair.

[freedom fighter jh]

21. Consider Demeter's suggestion, above, that you look into tutoring.

I tutor and it works pretty well for me.

I am an adjunct. That is not enough for a living.

Tutoring is a good piece of my income. I just did a rough tally, and so far this year I have earned about $17 K from it. It's not a complete income, but it's a nice piece.

Plusses: The work is rewarding and fun. Although it's hard to earn much from it altogether, it works well as a piece of income, because you can charge maybe $60 per hour. That's my rate. One client told me it's too low and I resolved to ask for more from the next client, but did not dare. Of course, only the well off can pay that, and that brings guilt. I resolve the guilt by taking on pro-bono clients here and there, people who clearly cannot afford much.

Minuses: It's real hard to make a complete living out of this, because your work is limited to afternoons, evenings, and weekends during the school year. I do get a few students who want to continue during the summer. I understand there is a homeschool market. And if you can find college students to work with, you can find tutoring work in what would otherwise be dead time. But college students are harder to get than high school students.

Plus or minus, depending on your background: Tutoring works better in some fields than in others. The best opportunities seem to be in math and in preparation for standardized tests.

If you want to do this, try this strategy:
1. If not done already, revise your resume to highlight your teaching quals.
2. Get business cards made advertising yourself as a tutor.
3. Go to your local middle school and high school and introduce yourself to the head of the department in your field. A good time to do this is in the week or two before school starts up. Tell them you are available for tutoring. You can do this in person or by phone.
4. Volunteer an hour or two per week to help out a teacher in your field at the local high school. This will earn some trust from the school and put them into a position to recommend you.
5. Go to your local public library and ask them if it's OK for you to tutor there. Almost certainly they will say yes.

A website will probably help you if you can get one, but it won't do nearly as much for you as will getting to know the local high school teachers in your field.

Business expenses are pretty low: business cards (typically $20 at Staples), possibly a website (probably $11 per year for a domain plus possibly a monthly fee for hosting), a lot of paper (I spend like $30 or $40 per year), and possibly some other things. For example, I need to use a calculator ($100).

Good luck!

[flygal]

22. Don't be ashamed!

My mother is also getting help from my sister and me. I am so glad I can help her out, it's not much but it helps covers her small mortgage. She was laid off and then her partner died leaving her unable to stay afloat. She's pieced together three part-time jobs that then all cut her hours this summer and she could lose the house. Now she can have some breathing room to find a new job. You are not alone, I've been there and my mom helped me out many years ago.
Good luck to you!

[dickthegrouch]

23. Another struggling job-seeker here

However, look at all the skills you have:
Class preparation, public speaking, test generation, test answer validation and many others that need to be on your resume.

All those are transferable skills. I don't know what subject you teach, specifically, but those transferable skills can be used in the corporate world too. Every company that produces a product has training needs for both customers and internal support staff.

You'll probably earn a lot more in corporate than you would ever earn in academia.

[Vincardog]

24. Bankruptcy prevents ulcers and many bad future psychological problems. When your ship is sinking

You have to know when to stop bailing and start swimming.

[Damansarajaya]

25. If you don't have family ties, you might consider working overseas. nt

[upaloopa]

26. I met a person on the train who was a teacher

and had a hard time finding work as a teacher.
She applied for a job overseas and now teaches English in Thailand.

[Vincardog]

27. Is that the same Thailand that just had a military coup?

[upaloopa]

30. How many are there?

[roody]

28. Check out the latest public Ed gravy

trains: testing, common bore, oops, core, selling new curriculum, and the standard ones: proctoring the multitude of exams you have no doubt taken. Wishing you the best. Be here now! Is it a beautiful day? Breathe. Are you healthy? What a blessing to have such good daughters and friends.